Feel Good Friday offers comfort for cancer patients

Published: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 12:04 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 12:04 p.m.

At the end of a work week, cancer patients and their caregivers may find TGIF an appropriate mantra because a day has been created especially for them at TMC.

Facts

Want to go?

Feel Good Friday is offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every third Friday each month at Thomasville Medical Center. The free program is for cancer patients, caregivers and cancer survivors. Volunteers are needed. Those who wish to attend or volunteer are asked to call Elizabeth Parnell at 474-3231.

It's all spelled out in the event's name — Feel Good Friday at Thomasville Medical Center.

It's a day when cancer patients can forget about the disease — if only for a short time — and enjoy being fed and generally pampered.

TMC's oncology program coordinator Elizabeth Parnell organized the free event that comes about every third Friday each month. The program debuted Jan. 18.

"And what happened?" Parnell says with a smile, thinking back to the first event. "We had three inches of snow ... but we still had 14 people to show up for our first program."

Community volunteers offer various services on Feel Good Friday to participants — those suffering from cancer or who have survived the disease — who may indulge in such things as manicures, hair care, massages and even making crafts.

"Patient comments I heard at our first event were that they really enjoyed the initial program, and they were so glad there was somewhere local for them to go," Parnell said.

"We had a nice lunch, and we gave away door prizes every 30 minutes."

Parnell emphasizes that the program is also open to the participants' favorite caregivers.

"A lot of times they are left in a waiting room for a period of time. But, they are right there with the patient for long periods of time. We want them to come and enjoy the festivities, too."

Parnell, a High Point native, joined TMC's oncology program in October of this past year after working for nearly 14 years at Forsyth Medical Center. She is also an oncology nurse and formerly worked in that capacity at the hospital in Winston-Salem.

The Feel Good Friday idea, she said, was actually developed about 10 years ago by cancer volunteers. Forsyth initiated the program some years ago. Parnell brought it to TMC.

"Cancer stays in the back of the mind, even for those who have survived cancer," Parnell notes. "This is a time they can get away from their medical treatments of their diagnosis and enjoy themselves."

One of the volunteers on the first night was Heather Ashby, who owns Southern Comfort Massage in High Point.

Ashby gave her time and services as a licensed massage therapist and brought along her massage chair. She became involved in volunteering with cancer patients some time ago when a close friend died from the disease. Her friend had supported her as she pursued her massage therapy license. Ashby says she saw firsthand how the disease takes its toll and wanted to do something to help others who were suffering.

"A massage was one of the few things to help her relax and make her feel better," Ashby said of her late friend.

"Cancer patients go through a lot. Caregivers being there for them and helping them do all the things they need, or just being there emotionally for them is important. The disease takes its toll.

"If I can help them, even if it's just with a 10-minute chair massage, to relax … that's my goal."

Ashby said the participants at the first TMC program seemed to enjoy the massages. "We didn't have a great turnout because of the weather, but it seemed to make their day."

The program, which takes place at the hospital's Senior Link room, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each third Friday in the month. Those who would like to participant are asked to call 474-3231 and are welcome to float in and out or stay for the full four hours. "It would be great if they did," Parnell adds.

The TMC program is in need of more volunteers. Anyone interested may call 474-3231.

The next date for the program is Feb. 15. "And the weather is going to be beautiful," Parnell predicts.

The American Cancer Society offers a similar program, though more focused on those who may need assistance with physical tasks. That contact number is (800) 277-2345.

Dwight Davis can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 226 or at dwight.davis@the-dispatch.com.

<p>At the end of a work week, cancer patients and their caregivers may find TGIF an appropriate mantra because a day has been created especially for them at TMC.</p><p>It's all spelled out in the event's name — Feel Good Friday at Thomasville Medical Center.</p><p>It's a day when cancer patients can forget about the disease — if only for a short time — and enjoy being fed and generally pampered.</p><p>TMC's oncology program coordinator Elizabeth Parnell organized the free event that comes about every third Friday each month. The program debuted Jan. 18.</p><p>"And what happened?" Parnell says with a smile, thinking back to the first event. "We had three inches of snow ... but we still had 14 people to show up for our first program."</p><p>Community volunteers offer various services on Feel Good Friday to participants — those suffering from cancer or who have survived the disease — who may indulge in such things as manicures, hair care, massages and even making crafts.</p><p>"Patient comments I heard at our first event were that they really enjoyed the initial program, and they were so glad there was somewhere local for them to go," Parnell said.</p><p>"We had a nice lunch, and we gave away door prizes every 30 minutes."</p><p>Parnell emphasizes that the program is also open to the participants' favorite caregivers.</p><p>"A lot of times they are left in a waiting room for a period of time. But, they are right there with the patient for long periods of time. We want them to come and enjoy the festivities, too."</p><p>Parnell, a High Point native, joined TMC's oncology program in October of this past year after working for nearly 14 years at Forsyth Medical Center. She is also an oncology nurse and formerly worked in that capacity at the hospital in Winston-Salem.</p><p>The Feel Good Friday idea, she said, was actually developed about 10 years ago by cancer volunteers. Forsyth initiated the program some years ago. Parnell brought it to TMC.</p><p>"Cancer stays in the back of the mind, even for those who have survived cancer," Parnell notes. "This is a time they can get away from their medical treatments of their diagnosis and enjoy themselves."</p><p>One of the volunteers on the first night was Heather Ashby, who owns Southern Comfort Massage in High Point.</p><p>Ashby gave her time and services as a licensed massage therapist and brought along her massage chair. She became involved in volunteering with cancer patients some time ago when a close friend died from the disease. Her friend had supported her as she pursued her massage therapy license. Ashby says she saw firsthand how the disease takes its toll and wanted to do something to help others who were suffering.</p><p>"A massage was one of the few things to help her relax and make her feel better," Ashby said of her late friend.</p><p>"Cancer patients go through a lot. Caregivers being there for them and helping them do all the things they need, or just being there emotionally for them is important. The disease takes its toll. </p><p>"If I can help them, even if it's just with a 10-minute chair massage, to relax … that's my goal."</p><p>Ashby said the participants at the first TMC program seemed to enjoy the massages. "We didn't have a great turnout because of the weather, but it seemed to make their day."</p><p>The program, which takes place at the hospital's Senior Link room, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each third Friday in the month. Those who would like to participant are asked to call 474-3231 and are welcome to float in and out or stay for the full four hours. "It would be great if they did," Parnell adds.</p><p>The TMC program is in need of more volunteers. Anyone interested may call 474-3231.</p><p>The next date for the program is Feb. 15. "And the weather is going to be beautiful," Parnell predicts.</p><p>The American Cancer Society offers a similar program, though more focused on those who may need assistance with physical tasks. That contact number is (800) 277-2345.</p><p>Dwight Davis can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 226 or at dwight.davis@the-dispatch.com.</p>